About Combat Hapkido?

Combat Hapkido was conceived to address the needs of martial artists looking for a dynamic and practical self-defense system that produces effective results in real life situations. The essence of Combat Hapkido is Pure Self-Defense. It is the Systhesis of dynamic concepts, scientific principles, realistic aplications, and plain common sense. Combat Hapkido can be easily integrated into any self-defense program because it complements and blends well with any martial art style.

Combat Hapkido is a modern, eclectic, dynamic and most of all flexible style of Hapkido developed by Grandmaster John Pellegrini. In 1990 Grandmaster Pellegrini officially named his style of Hapkido "Combat Hapkido." The name clearly identifies it and sets it apart from other "traditional" styles of Hapkido. It is also referred to as the "Science of Self Defense."

Combat Hapkido is an extremely realistic and versatile discipline of self protection that includes an extensive variety of joint locks, pressure points, grappling and disarming techniques. The result is a comprehensive Self Defense system enjoyable to learn, practical and, most of all, 100% effective.

Combat Hapkido's dynamic concepts are based on scientific principles of anatomy and biokinetics as well as psychology and strategy. It is well suited for men and women of all sizes because physical strength and athletic abilities are not essential. The emphasis is on redirecting the assailants' aggression and power back toward them with little effort and minimum force on your part.

Founding this system did not involve inventing the techniques. It was a matter of selecting the most realistic, effective and practical ones, modifying others and then combining and arranging these techniques in a structured system of instruction designed for individuals of all physical abilities living in a modern society.

Combat Hapkido is ideal for those individuals (for example: many women, busy professionals, law enforcement officers) who do not have the time, desire or ability to commit themselves to the demanding study of a traditional Martial Art.

• A new Martial Art
• Traditional Hapkido with a different name
• A "Free-Style" type of Martial Art
• A Martial Sport
• An amateurish mix of random techniques from different Martial Arts

• A new, modern style of Hapkido
• A totally scientific approach to Self Defense
• A realistic and effective discipline of personal protection
• A dynamic and flexible program of learning and teaching the science of Self Defense
• The result of over 35 years of Martial Arts study, research, application, and synthesis

Combat Hapkido differs from other styles in philosophy as well as techniques:

• Combat Hapkido is 100% Self-Defense. There are no forms (Kata/Hyungs).
• All Combat Hapkido kicks are directed to the lower part of the body. We do not teach acrobatic or flashy kicks.
• Combat Hapkido employs throws in a very limited manner.
• Combat Hapkido has no hard blocks or stances.
• Combat Hapkido does not teach "traditional" weapons like joot-do (bamboo sword) or fan.
• We teach cane, short stick and other modern Self-Defense tools.
• Combat Hapkido teaches special weapon disarming techniques.
• Combat Hapkido teaches ground fighting techniques.
• Combat Hapkido includes knife fighting tatics.
• Combat Hapkido, because it is flexible, dynamic and eclectic, continues ot evolve.
• Combat Hapkido is not a sport and cannot be modified nor regulated to be one. There are no competitions, tournaments or championships.
• Breaking boards (or any other material) is not required nor desirable in Combat Hapkido